Grown In Connecticut: Irene Did Less Damage Than Expected

Tropical storm Irene did some damage to farmers' crops, according to Rick Macsuga of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture but overall growers made out surprisingly well. 

"We had apple trees blow over and non of the fruit came off," he said. "It was freaky going to an orchard and all the fruit was still on the trees but all the vegetables had washed away." 

Macsuga said he saw some trees completely toppled over but none of the fruit fell off. He estimated that most farmers made out "shockingly well" and lost less than 5 percent of their fruit crop in the storm. 

Not all farmers made out so well. Macsuga said some growers lost 100 percent of their crops, while others lost very little. The Department of Agriculture is still assessing the damage state-wide but the rain is making matters worse. 

"Summer squash took a beating during the storm," said Macsuga. "It's still there but it doesn't do well in all this rain. If you're looking for squash I would jump on it in next couple weeks." 

Macsuga said the same goes for corn.

However, the colder weather is bringing the return of lettuces and fall raspberries, apples and winter squashes, he said.  

"Markets were very busy this week," said Macsuga. "There is lots of product still available. The summer stuff is fizzling out and the winter stuff is coming in. After last week's storm, this rain is nothing."

What's fresh this week:

Where to find them:

The Ledyard Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ledyard Town Center at the Fair Grounds. www.ledyardfresh.com, WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

The Norwich Uncas Farmers’ Market is on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Uncas on the Thames, 401 West Thames Street, 100 Campbell Building. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT.

The Norwich Downtown Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the boat marina in Howard Brown Park on Route 2. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

The Preston Farmers’ Market is on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Preston Plains School on Route 164. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.